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TIPS AND IDEAS TO ACE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW

TIPS AND IDEAS TO ACE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW

Just So You Know:

When hiring managers were asked to name the most common and damaging interview mistakes a candidate can make, 51% listed dressing inappropriately. 49% cited badmouthing a former boss as the worst offense, while 48% said appearing disinterested. Arrogance (44%), insufficient answers (30%) and not asking good questions (29%) were also top answers.

You Should:

Dress appropriately for the industry. It doesn’t hurt to be extra conservative.

Arrive at least 10 minutes early (or earlier if the employer instructs for you to do so).

Treat other people you encounter with courtesy and respect. You never know who is asked for an opinion when the hiring decision is made.

Offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and have a friendly expression when you are greeted by your interviewer.

Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question. Don’t lie: If the conversation drifts to a topic you’re not knowledgeable about. Admit you don’t know the answer and then explain how you would go about finding a solution. Displaying your problem-solving skills is better than babbling about something you don’t understand.

Exhibit a positive attitude. The interviewer is evaluating you as a potential co-worker. Behave like someone you would want to work with.

After the interview, make notes right away so you don’t forget important details.

Collect business cards, so that you can connect with the interviewer on professional social networking sites.

Draft a Thank-You letter promptly and email a copy of it to your recruiter for an extra set of proof-reading eyes.

Don’t make negative comments about previous employers (or others).

Don’t chew gum, smell like smoke or wear too much perfume.

Turn your phone off before the interview. Checking a text or silencing your phone during the interview looks unprofessional.

Do some research: knowing small details about the company you want to work for shows your commitment and preparedness.

Keep it professional: although interviewers often try to create a comfortable setting to ease the job seeker’s nerves, you shouldn’t forget you’re trying to get the job not make friends.

Expect to hear questions such as “What’s your biggest weakness?” “Why do you want to work here?” “Tell me about yourself.” “Why did you leave your last job?” These open-ended questions are harder to answer than they sound, so think about your responses before the interview.

Don’t take your parents or your pet (an assistance animal is not a pet in this circumstance), to an interview.

Make Sure to Ask Questions. Such As:

What do you consider to be your firm’s most important assets?

What can you tell me about your new product or plans for growth?

What were the major strengths and weaknesses of the last person who held this job?

What types of skills do you not already have onboard that you’re looking to fill with a new hire?

What is the overall structure of the company?

What would you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?

What are the skills and attributes you value most for someone being hired for this position?

Could you describe a typical day or week in this position?

What are the most immediate challenges of the position that need to be addressed in the first three months?

How will I be evaluated and how often?

What are the next steps in the interview process?

Good Luck and find us on facebook! facebook.com/winstonstaffnj for more tips, ideas, funny stories and more importantly, job postings.